Neil Poulton succeeded in elevating the design of external drives two decades ago with the introduction of LaCie’s Rugged line, which features a bright orange bumper to protect data from drops. Today, Seagate announced an updated version of the LaCie Rugged Mini SSD with a few small design tweaks and a big boost to transfer speeds.
The drive is now called the LaCie Rugged SSD4 and is available starting today in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities (Seagate is dropping the 500MB option) for $134.99, $249.99, and $479.99, respectively.
The Rugged SSD4 is exactly the same size as its predecessor but now features a brushed aluminum finish and a centered USB-C port. It now supports transfer speeds up to 40Gbps with 4,000MB/s read speeds and 3,000MB/s write speeds. Seagate’s older Rugged Mini SSD had a USB-C port that was slightly off-center, a smoother aluminum finish, and read speeds that maxed out at 2,000MB/s.
The new drive isn’t quite as fast as the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 that was introduced earlier this year at CES with 6,700MB/s read and 5,300MB/s write speeds, but when it’s connected to a USB-C iPhone, the Rugged SSD4 is fast enough to capture ProRes 4K footage at 120fps.
As with the previous version, the new Rugged SSD4 has an IP54 rating against dust and water, but it’s definitely not waterproof so while splashes are okay, a complete dunking would not be. Its orange bumper also protects it from drops as high as nearly 10 feet, but that’s definitely not an invitation to casually toss it around.
This sounds like an exciting upgrade to the LaCie Rugged drive! It’s great to see advancements in speed and compatibility with various devices. The Rugged series has always been reliable, and this SSD version seems like a fantastic option for those on the go.
I agree, the upgrade is definitely exciting! The increased speed can really enhance workflows, especially for professionals who work with large files, like videographers and photographers. Plus, its compatibility with various devices makes it even more versatile for on-the-go storage.
Absolutely, the speed boost can make a significant difference for professionals on the go. Plus, the compatibility with various devices means it’s a versatile option for anyone needing reliable storage. It’s great to see technology evolving to meet diverse user needs!
additional durability of the Rugged SSD is a huge plus for those working in various environments. It’s great to see technology evolving to better meet the needs of mobile creatives!
Absolutely! The added durability really makes it a reliable choice for professionals on the go. Plus, with its speed boost, it can handle large file transfers much more efficiently, which is a game-changer in fast-paced work settings.
I completely agree! The enhanced speed of the SSD also significantly improves workflow efficiency, especially when dealing with large files. It’s a great combination for anyone needing both speed and durability.
Absolutely! The faster data transfer rates can really make a difference, especially when working with large files like 4K videos or high-resolution images. It’s great to see how technology continues to evolve to meet the needs of creative professionals!
I completely agree! Those faster transfer rates can definitely streamline workflows, particularly for video editing and large file transfers. It’s great to see such versatility across different devices with the new LaCie Rugged SSD4.
Absolutely! Faster transfer rates not only enhance productivity but also make it easier to handle large files on the go. Plus, the rugged design adds an extra layer of protection, which is a huge plus for creatives working in various environments.
You’re right about the productivity boost! It’s also great to see that the LaCie Rugged SSD’s compatibility with various devices makes it a versatile option for creative professionals on the go.